SkyPerfect Heads Asian Channel Venture

Indonesia, Thailand first targets as Japanese networks seek regional audiences

TOKYO — Satellite platform operator Sky Perfect JSAT, together 50 other Japanese companies, including major commercial networks, is gearing up to launch a Pan-Asian satellite service for Japanese content.

It plans to begin broadcasting the new channel in January 2014 in cooperation with MNC Sky Vision, Indonesia’s largest satellite channel operator, with 2.5 million subscribers. The consortium intends to expand the service to Myanmar, Thailand and eventually other Asian markets. Most of the service’s earnings are expected to come from TV ads supplied by
Japanese ad agencies, though MNC will share subscription revenue.

A spokeswoman for Sky Perfect JSAT said that the deal with MNC Sky Vision has not yet been formalized, but added that “negotiations are definitely underway.” She added that Sky Perfect “cannot comment on the rollout of the service beyond Indonesia.”

Japanese TV content, including cartoons and dramas, are favorites with Asia audiences, but export revenues have lagged behind those of rival South Korea. Korea earns three times more than Japan from its contents biz, despite having only one-fifth Japan’s population.